Multiunit printing machine



Dec. 24, 1929. H. v. BALL MULTIUNIT PRINTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet lFiled Dec. 10 1927 INVENTDR Dec. 24, 1929. H. v. BALL MULTIUNIT PRINTINGMACHINE Filed D60. l0. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Q |||b\\\ f .m QQn m Q/l/ q 0 Il l Patented Dec. 24, 1.929.;

t UNE'EEQ ST'EES ATENT @FFICE HARRY V. BALL, OF CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS,ASSIGNOR TO R. HOE & C0., ING., 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATON OF NEWYORK MULTIUNIT PRINTING MACHINE Application led December 10, 1927.Serial No. 239,083.

This invention relates to certain improvements in multi-unit printingmachines in which the printing units are arranged in superposed decks,and the invention particularly relates to an improved arrangement of theweb rolls for supplying printing units so arranged.

Certain types of multi-unit printing machines include a press comprisinga plurality of printing units arranged in line, these units beingassociated in groups with suitable folders arranged in certain desiredrelations with respect to the groups. Where such machines comprise alarge number of units, the-webs cannot be conveniently fed from the endsof the press and they are therefore fed from above or below the units.ln these large machines, a number of web rolls must be used during a runof the press, and the run from the web rolls to the printingunitsshouldbe asshort as possible. The space which can accommodate therequisite running and spare rolls is by reason of the press constructionof small area and this space cannotl well be enlarged. There it may bedesired to produce a press including a second deck of units, specialsupports must be provided for the web rolls for the units of the seconddeck.

It is the special object of the present invention to provide anarrangement for the web rolls of a multi-unit multi-deck machine so thatthe ruiming rolls and the spare rolls for two decks of units may bearranged in the l same space ordinarily occupied by the web rolls for asingle deck machine. Y A further object of the invention is toprovide'such a press arrangement in which the webs may be run to therespective units from the web rolls, and after printing run to anyfolder as desired without interference between the runningwebs.

With these and other objects not specifically referred to in view, theinvention consists in certain novel parts, arrangements and combinationswhich will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings andthe novel features pointed out in the claims hereunto annexed.

, VIn these drawings,-

Figure l is a diagrammatic arrangement of a multi-unit multi-deckmachine embodying the improved web roll arrangement for supplying theunits, the web feed being shown as from below the press, and

Figure 2 is a similar view showing an arrangement which may be adoptedwith the web rolls arranged above the press.

1ieferring now to these drawings, the machine chosen to illustrates theinvention includes a press in which eight printing units are shownarranged in two superposed decks with a folder arranged at the end ofthe press and a folder arranged between the groups of units, but it willbe understood that the press may be extended to include any desirednumber of units and folders grouped as may be desired. The invention istherefore not to be restricted to the particular number of units or unitarrangement shown.

ln the machine illustrated, however, there is provided a pressA whichincludes four units l, 2, 3, et, arranged in line on one level andpreferably with their cylinders in parallel alignment. and includes a.printing and perfecting couple. The press l comprises'a printing coupleincluding a form cylinder F and an impression cylinder I, and a secondprinting couple including a form cylinder F and an impression cylinderI. Press 2 comprises a printing couple including a form cylinder 2F andan impression cylinder 21, and a second printing couple including` aform cylinder 21" and an impression cylinder 2. Press 3 comprises aprinting couple including a form cylinder 3F- and an impression cylinderSI, and a second printing couple including a form cylinder 3F and animpression cylinder 31. Similarly, press i comprises a printing couplein- Each of these units is identical cluding a form cylinder Ll1" and animpression cylinder Ll1, and a second printing couple including a formcylinder 4F and an impression cylinder 4I.

Superposed above this press A is a press of a similar number of unitsarranged in a similar manner, this press being marked B and includingfour units 5, 6, 7, 8, each 0f which includes a printing and perfectingcouple, the cylinders of which are preferably arranged substantially inline. Thus press 5 includes a printing couple having a form cylinder 5Fand an impression cylinder 5I, and a second printing couple including aform cylinder 5F and an impression cylinder 51. Press 6 comprises aprinting couple having a form cylinder 6F and an impression cylinder 6I,and a second printing couple including a form cylinder 6F and animpression cylinder 61 Press 7 comprises a printing couple having a formcylinder 7F and impression cylinder 71, and a second printing coupleincluding a form cylinder 7F and an impression cylinder 71. Similarly,press 8 comprises a printing couple having a form cylinder 8F and animpression cylinder SI, and a second printing couple including a formcylinder 8F and an impression cylinder 81.

In t-he particular construction shown, there is a folder C arranged atthe end of the units 1, 5, and a second folder D arranged be tWeen theunits 2, 6 and the units 3, 7, to- Which the Webs from the units may beled as hereinafter referred to. In accordance with the invention, animproved Web roll arrangement is provided for supplying the Webs to themulti-deck machine in which the running and spare Web rolls may bemaintained `in a comparatively small space either above or below theunits, this space being no larger than has ordinarily been usedV for theWeb K rolls of a single press, the run from the rolls to the units beingdirect, and suitable guides are provided for properly guiding the WebslVhile this arrangement may be somewhat varied, in the particularconstruction illustrated the Web rolls for supplying each unit aresupported in superposed relation, that is, the rolls are supported insubstantially vertical alignment and the rolls are spaced apartsufficiently to permit the spare rolls to be moved endwise intoposition, so that they may be placed in I either in the upper or thelower roll supports.

Referring first to presses 1-5, there are shown a running Web roll 10and a spare Web roll 11 mounted in superposed relation, and a secondpair of web rolls 12, 13, also mounted in superposed relation. Two ofthese rolls, as the rolls 10, 12, are shown as the running rolls, Withthe rolls 11, 13 held in reserve.

Y These superposed sets of web rolls are spaced roll 11.

sufficiently far apart to permit of other spare rolls, as the spare rollS, to be slid in side- Wise so that they can be moved into any of theroll supports for roll replenishing.

These rolls may be led to the units in any suitable manner. As forinstance, referring to the full line construction shown, the web fromthe roll 10 passes over a guide roll 14, arranged at one side of thevertical axes of the tWo Web rolls so that it Will clear the upper Thisweb 10 then passes over a guide roll 15 under a guide roll 16 over aguide roll 17 around a guide roll 18 to the press 1 and, after printing,passes around suitable guide rolls 19, 19 to folder C. The Web from theroll 12, or the roll 13, passes over a guide roll 2O arranged similarlyto the guide roll 14, that is, to one side of the vertical axes of therolls 12, 13 overa guide roll 21 under a guide roll 22 and around guiderolls 23, 24 to press 5, and after printing. passes around guiderolls25, 26 to the folder C, being there associated with the web 10 frompress 1. l/Vhen now the rolls 10, 12 have been exhausted, the rolls 11,13 may be used, the run of the Webs being the same.

Similarly, units 2, 6 are fed from Web rolls 27, 28, 29, 30, these rollsbeing located below the units 2, 6 and arranged similarly to the Webrolls for units 1, 5. Still referring to the full line leads shown, theWeb from the roll 27 passes over a guide roll 31 arranged at one side ofythe vertical axes of the rolls 27, 28

around a guide roll 32 over a guide roll 33v around a guide roll 34 tounit 2 and, after leaving unit 2, over guide rolls 35, 36 under a guideroll 37 and over guide rolls 38, 39 to folder C. The Web from roll 29runs around a guide roll 40, arranged similarly to the guide roll 31,this roll, of course, being on the opposite side of the rolls 29, 30.From the guide roll 40 the Web runs over a roll 41 under a roll 42 andaround guide rolls 43 to the press 6 and, after leaving the press,passes over a guide roll 44 and over guide rolls 45, 46 to folder C.

The Web leads from units 3, 7 are supplied from web rolls 47, 48, 49,50, and the units 4, 8 are supplied from Web rolls 51, 52, 53, 54. TheVweb leads from these rolls to the units are the same as those alreadydescribed With reference to units 1, 2, 5, 6, and the Webs from units 3,4, 7, 8, may go to folder D and there be associated. As these leads andguide rolls are the same as those already described further descriptionis unnecessary. i

Under some circumstances, it may be desirable to associate the Webs fromunits 1, 2, 5, 6 at folder D and, Where the Webs are to be thus run, aslightly different arrangement of the runs from the web rolls to thepresses is necessary. Such a run of the Webs has been shown in thedrawings in dotted lines. Referring rst to presses 1, 5, the Web fromrolls 10, 11 passes under guide roll 16 over a guide roll under a guideroll 56 and around a guide roll 57 to press 5. After leaving press 5,the web goes over guide rolls 25, 45, before referred to, and over guiderolls 58 to the folder D, there being associated With other Webs.

The Web from web rolls 12, 13 passes around the guide roll 21,` thenaround a guide roll 59 under guide roll 18, before referred to, around aguideroll 60 to press 1 and, after leavingvthe press, passes around theguide roll 19 under guide roll 37 over guide roll 38, before referredto, and then over guide rolls 61 to folder D'.

The web from web rolls 27, 28 passes over guide roll 3l around guideroll 32 under guide roll 22 over roll 23 under guide roll 36 around aguide roll 64 to press 6 and, after leaving press 6, over guide roll 44and over a guide roll 65 to the folder.

The web from web rolls 29, 30 passes over guide rolls 40, 4l under guideroll 42 over a guide roll 66 around beneath guide roll 34 over a guideroll 67 to press 2 and, after leaving press 27 goes over guide roll 35under a guide roll 68 over guide rolls 69 to folder D.

Thus all the webs may, as shown, be associated, if desired, at folder D.Similarly, the webs from presses 3, 4, 7, 8, instead of going to folderD, may go to a folder at the right of the drawing in Figure l, notshown. The lead of the webs being, as shown, in dotted lines and similarto that already described with reference to the dotted line runs inpresses 1,2, 5, 6.

It will be understood that if desired the web may be run from rollsarranged above the press, as shown in Figure 2. The web leads and guiderolls are, however, the same as those already described for the underfeed and a detailed description of the same is, therefore, unnecessary.

Vith the arrangement described, it will be seen that a double decirmulti-unit machine may be fed from a web supply from either above orbelow, this web supply taking up but a small space so that additionalarrangements for supplying the webs to the upper decks are unnecessary.

While the invention has been shown and described in its preferred formand arrangement, it will be understood that certain variations in theweb leads and in the arrangement of the various guide rolls may be madewithout departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a multi-unit printing machine, the combination of a plurality ofunits arranged in line, a plurality of units arranged in line above thefirst units, a web supply for each set of superposed units comprisingsuperposed running and inactive web rolls for each unit located in aspace substantially coextensive with the width of the units, and webguides for leading the webs from the running web rolls around theinactive web rolls to the respective units.

2. In a multi-unit printing machine, the combination of a plurality ofunits arranged in line, a plurality of units arranged in line above thefirst units, a web supply for each set of superposed units comprisingsuperposed running and inactive web rolls arranged in sets which arespaced apart to permit a spare roll to pass between them and located ina space substantially coext'ensive with the width of the units, and webguides for leading the webs from the running web rolls around theinactive web rolls to the respective units.

3. In a multi-unit printing machine, the combination of a plurality ofunits arranged in line, a plurality of units arranged in line above thefirst units, a web supply for each set'of superposed units comprisingsuperposed running and inactive web rolls for each unitlocated in aspace substantially coextensive with the width of the units, web guidesfor leading the webs from the lower web rolls around the upper webrolls, and web guides for leading a web to the units in diiferent paths.

4. In a multi-unit printing machine, the combination of a plurality ofunits arranged in line, a plurality of units arranged in line above thefirst units, a web supply for each set of superposed units comprisingsuperposed running and inactive web rolls arranged in sets which arespaced apart to permit a spa-re roll to pass between them and located ina space substantially coerztensive with the width of the units, webguides for leading the webs from the lower web rolls around.v the upperweb rolls, and web guides for leading a web to the units in diderentpaths.

5. In a multi-unit printing machine, the combination of a plurality ofunits arranged in line, a plurality of units arranged in line above thefirst units, a web supply for each set of superposed units comprisingsuperposed running and inactive web rolls for each unit located in aspace substantially the width of the units, and means whereby the websfrom the running web rolls may be led around the inactive web rolls tothe units without web interference.

6. In a multi-unit printing machine, the combination of a plurality ofunits arranged in line, a plurality of units arranged in line above thefirst units, a web supply for each set of superposed units comprisingsuperposed running and inactive web rolls for each unit located in aspace substantially the width of the units, means whereby the webs fromthe running web rolls may be led around the inactive web rolls to theunits without web interference, and web guides for leading a web to theunits in different paths.

7. In a multi-unit printing machine, the combination of a plurality ofunits arranged in line, a plurality of units arranged in line above thefirst units, a web supply for each set of superposed units comprisingsuperposed running and inactive web rolls for each unit located in aspace substantially the width of the units, folder web guides forassociating a plurality of webs at any folder, means whereby the websfrom the running web rolls may be led around the inactive web rolls tothe units without web interference, and web around the inactive webrolls to the couples guides for leading the webs to the units in w onepath when the webs go to one folder and in another path when the webs goto a differmy hand.

ent folder.

8. In a inulti-unit printing machine, the combination of aI plurality ofunits arranged in line, a plurality of units arranged in line above thefirst units, a web supply for each set of superposed units comprisingsuperposed runiiing, and inactive web rolls for each unit located in aspace substantially the width of the units, folders, web guides forassociating a vplurality of webs at any folder, web guides for leadingthe running Webs around the inactive web rolls Without interference, andweb guides for leading the webs to the units in one path when the websgo to one folder and inV another path when the webs go to al differentfolder. i

9. In a multi-unit printing machine, the

combination of Va plurality of printing` units, a

plurality of p inting units above the first units, a web supply for eachset of superposed units comprising running and inactive web rollslocated in a space substantially coextensive with the width of the unitsand below theV a plurality of printing units above the firstv units, aweb supply for each set of superposed units comprising running andinactive web rolls located in a space substantially co- Y extensive withthe width of the units, web guides for leading the running webs to theunits without interference with the inactive web rolls, and web guidesfor leading the webs to the units in different paths.

l1. In a multi-unit printing machine, the combination of a plurality ofprinting couples arranged in line, a plurality of printing couplesarranged in line above the lirst printing couples, a web supply for eachof the superposed couples comprising superposed running and inactive webrolls located in a space substantially the width 0f the couples andbelow the couples, and means whereby the Webs from the running web rollsmay be led around the inactive web rolls to the couples withoutk webinterference.

l2. In a multi-unit printing machine, the combination of a plurality ofprinting couples arranged in line and spaced apart, a plurality ofprinting couples arranged in line above the first couples and spacedapart, a web supply for each of the superposed printing couplescomprising superposed running and inactive web rolls for each couplelocated in a space substantially the width of the couples and below thesame, and means whereby the webs from the running rolls may be ledithout web interference.

Intestimony whereof, I have hereunto set HARRY v. BALL. n

